`It is because we learn from the writers who have either got into difficulties or who have a certain vanity in creating them, that I have chosen Meredith as my subject', says Mr. Pritchett at the beginning of these Clark Lectures for 1969. The Meredith who, as Henry James remarked, 'did the best things best', but whose novels some critics have written off, was in some ways the forerunner of the contemporary novel, its erratic movement, its profusion of metaphor. His strange style was a device for linking his Romance to a ...
Read More
`It is because we learn from the writers who have either got into difficulties or who have a certain vanity in creating them, that I have chosen Meredith as my subject', says Mr. Pritchett at the beginning of these Clark Lectures for 1969. The Meredith who, as Henry James remarked, 'did the best things best', but whose novels some critics have written off, was in some ways the forerunner of the contemporary novel, its erratic movement, its profusion of metaphor. His strange style was a device for linking his Romance to a real world, and Mr. Pritchett believes that the difficulties of this style have been in any case exaggerated. What he aimed at was comedy; but comedy 'conceived of as theatre'. 'The business of comedy is ruthlessly to expose the false emotions and the false image of oneself.' Meredith's great virtues as a writer of comedy were his power to analyse states of mind and his gift for slipping out of one mind into another. Mr. Pritchett illuminates these virtues no less than Meredith's defects with brilliant commentaries on Beauchamp's Career, The Ordeal of Richard Feverel, Evan Harrington, Harry Richmond and The Egoist. A passionate feminist, a romantic poet with a leaning to the mythic, a champion of intelligence and the values which spring from it, Meredith wrote novels whose originality can be clearly seen from Mr. Pritchett's fresh viewpoint. Victor Sawdon Pritchett (1900-1997) was born over a toyshop in 1900 and, much to his everlasting distaste, was named after Queen Victoria. A writer and critic, his is widely reputed to be one of the best short story writers of all time, with the rare ability to capture the extraordinary strangeness of everyday life. He died in 1997.
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
1st edn. 8vo. Original gilt lettered dark blue cloth (VG), dustwrapper (label on spine; extrems chipped on top edges-in protective wrapper, price clipped). Pp. 127 (ex school library with bookplate on front paste-down and usual stamps and markings).
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has hardback covers. In good all round condition. No dust jacket. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 400grams, ISBN: 0701115653.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very Good. First edition copy. Collectible-Very Good. Very Good dust jacket. First Amercian Edition. Corner clipped. In protective mylar cover. Published in 1969. (Literature, English comedy, Crriticism, Interpretation)
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Acceptable. First edition copy. Collectible-Acceptable. No Dust Jacket In protective mylar cover. Published in 1969. (Literature, English comedy, Crriticism, Interpretation)
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very Good. First American. Very good plus. Former owner's name inside front cover. Please Note: This book has been transferred to Between the Covers from another database and might not be described to our usual standards. Please inquire for more detailed condition information.